Propulsion chain and construction method



A United States Patent Frederick Blanchard Romero 5520 Wayne Ave., Philadelphia,

[72] Inventor Pennsylvania 19144 [21] Appl. No. 718,650 22] Filed Feb. 20, 1968 Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 356,183 March 31, 1964, abandoned. [45] Patented Nov. 24, 1970 [54] PROPULSION CHAIN AND CONSTRUCTION METHOD 6 Claims, 15 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 416/7 [51] Int. Cl. B63h 1/34 [50] Field ofSearch 170/136, 137, 138, 141, I42, 159(L), 157

OTHER REFERENCES German Application No. P 585 XII/65B dated December 1956 (Pattschull) 170-- 136 Primary Examiner-Everette A. Powell, Jr.

ABSTRACT: The object of this invention is to provide an endless propulsion chain including a combination of metallic and nonmetallic materials and a construction method for constructing the chain with a ratio of weight to strength wherein exists a minimum of chain weights with sufficient strength for the great durability in its rotary motions used in the shifting of relatively large weights of water, within short periods of time, from beneath floating marine vessels fitted and equipped with this endless chain: and thereby. making possible surprisingly great forward speeds of those marine vessels provided with the endless chain propeller suspended and rotated on a quadruple of paralleled five-toothed sprocket wheels, being in pairs perpendicularly fixed and equidistantly spaced on paralleled axles and approximately half-submerged in the water of floatation of those marine vessels. Another object of this invention is also to provide, a properly constructed endless propulsion chain made to rotate by force of currents of water, when it is suspended on a quadruple of sprocket wheels approximately half-submerged in water of floatation of marine vessels floating and held in fixed positions; and thereby, the endless chain is recognized as being an] impeller.

Patented Nov. 24, 1910 3,542,485

Sheet 016 PNVENTOR Pgtented Nov. 24,1970 Y 3,542,485

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Pat ented Nov. 24, 1970 v 3,542,485

Sheet 5 or s a] v NVE Sheet 5 01'6 INVENTOR. .flww

PROPULSION CHAIN AND CONSTRUCTION METHOD I This application is a continuation-inpart of U.S. Pat. No. 356,183 filed March 31, 1964, now abandoned.

A further object of this invention is to improve generally this type of construction, recognizable as being a marine vessels endless propulsion chain constructed by a method including proper steps of procedure in forming,.laminating, jointing, bonding, and coating metallic and nonmetallic materials com bined for a proper ratio of weight to strength within the finished chain for service of great durability.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein the various parts are indicated by the use ofnumerals, but not all similar parts are numbered. These drawings are presented in the forms of FIGS. indicated as follows.

FIG. I, is a side view.

FIG. 2, is a top view.

FIG. 3, is a front view.

FIG. 4, is a profile and sectional view.

FIG. 5, is a front view.

FIG. 6, is a side view, including a perspective view of a detail structure appearing in the side view.

FIG. 7, is a top and sectional view.

FIG. 8, is a side and sectional view.

FIG. 9, is a transverse'sectional view.

FIG. 10, is a transverse sectional view.

FIG. 11, is a side and transverse sectional view.

FIG. 12, is a transverse sectional view, including side or top views of structurally related details.

FIG. 13, is a side or top view.

FIG. 14, is a transverse sectional view.

FIG. 15, is anend view. I

The invention is essentially well illustrated in its general outlines by FIGS: 1. and 2 and 3', whereinare shown in proper relative positions, the essential functional parts of the endless chain of variable lengths; and made usually with a greater plurality of these essential functional parts, than those shown by FIGS. 1, and 2, for practical applications in actual utility. The

endless chain comprises a plurality of properly fitting parts, in-

cluding the larger propulsion links 1, having uniform shapes and dimensions, and the smaller propulsion links 16, having uniform shapes and dimensions. These larger and smaller propulsion links are being functionally joined by means of a plurality of hollow axles 15, sustaining for functionalpurposes an equal plurality of hollow slip cylinders 47, and bearings 14; and also sustaining an equal plurality of joining links 31, locked into their proper places by keys 42; and joining into proper functional positions hollow slip cylinders 47, bearings 14, propulsion links 1, and propulsion links 16, which approximately in parallel functionalplanes must be flexibly and rotatably suspended on hollow axles 15, for proper rotation of the endless propulsion chain, which usually rotates approximately in the same parallel planes as the motor driven rotating quadruple of parallel five-toothed sprocket wheels upon which the endless propulsion chain is fitted and suspended.

The proper ratio of weight to strength of the endless chain shown in its essential structural outlines by FIGS. 1, and 2;

requires a proper selection and combination of high strength metallic and nonmetallic materials, and a method of construction inclusive of the necessary steps of procedure for producing that which is shown by FIGS. 3, 4,5, 6,7, 8, 9, 10, ll, l2, l3, l4, and 15, and therein recognizable as being proper forming, laminating, jointing,- bonding, and coating methods. The somewhat boot shaped metallic ribbing laminations 2 and 3 and the like, of various lengths are being shown in FIGS. 3,

and 4', in FIG. 3, as shown, their relative positions are properly selected then structurally spaced and held in parallel planes by relatively short high strength metallic hollow cylinders 4 and the like, of uniform lengths but various diameters as shown in FIG. 4, taken at AA in FIG. 3. FIG. 4, illustrates the essential shapes of the high strength metallic, ribbing Iarninations 2 and 3 and the like, of the various proportionate lengths indicated in FIG. 3, where as shown, they are approximately equidistantly spaced from one another and held in parallel by a plurality of partially metallic hollow cylinders 4, of the relatively various diameters indicated in FIGS. 3, and 4; andthese framing members with their interspaces properly filled make concaved and convexed surfaces exist on opposite and outermost sides of the individual links relatively extensive transverse structural portions shown by FIGS. 2, and 3, and providing much of the wanted propulsion and impulsion force effects with under water motions of each of the larger propulsion links 1, in the properly functioning suspended and rotating endless propulsion chain. The metallic ribbing laminations 2, and 3, and the like, are properly spaced by the perpendicularly positioned high strength .metallic and nonmetallic hollow cylinders 4, and the likej these being firmly held in their proper relative positions by properly made metallic welded and adhesive cemented joints. The spaces between these metallic ribbing laminations 2, and 3, and the like: and the spaces between the hollow cylinders 4, and the like. are being filled with cement-coated rigid and lightweight refractory material 5, dimensioned and cut so as to closely tit between the ribbing laminationsand structurally contiguous hollow cylinders; and these become covered by overlain moldable and relatively thin'refractory material 6, as shown in FIG. 3; the refractory material 6, being fitted between laminations 2 and 3 and the like, leaving the ribbing laniinations edges projected slightly, for making proper metallic-welded and adhesive-bonded joints with the fitted edges of the outermost strips of sheet metal coverings 7, shown in the finished outward appearance in FIG.- 3.

FIG. 3, because of showing the links relatively extensive transverse and concaved structural surface which is most effective for propelling or functioning as an irnpeller, is considered as being a, front view of the larger propulsion links 1,

1 shown in FIGS. 1, 2,'and 3', and, it reveals essential structural features conducive to wanted effectiveness in a means of propulsion of marine vessels. These features are being inclu' sive of the water-retaining chambers 10, and the water-sweeping lateral portions 8, functioning simultaneously with the central concaved and relatively extensive transverse structural surfaces of the links I, together with the sweeping portions 9, most-lateral to the links 1, center lines; and those parts recognizable as being two pairs of parallel and linking portions 12,

' built in vertical planes parallel to the principal longitudinal and vertical center line plane of the finished and properly suspended endless chain having its longitudinal and vertical center line plane coinciding with the vertical and longitudinal center line plane of the marine vessel in which the endless propulsion chain is suspended for a means of propulsion. The linking portions 12, are made for sustaining rotary motions on axles l5, and they are structurally separated by bearings recesses 13, properly dimensioned to permit functional and rotary motions of hollow slip cylinders 47, and bearings 14. Immediately'above the bearings recesses 13, and separated by relatively thin partitions are made water retaining chambers 10, extending approximately the full length of the linking por tions 12, as shown in FIGS. 1, and 3, and provided rearwardly with water-releasing holes 11. These chambers 10, with their water-releasing holes 11, under water, tend to prevent the-occurrence of otherwise quicker and more forceful lateral motions contributing to destructive effects, while the endless propulsion chain is engaged in its functional motions of rotation and when there exists unavoidable forces tending to cause lateral swaying motions of the chain in :its functional position of suspension on its sprocket wheels. The water-retaining chambers 10, when filled with water during rotary motions of I the chain, contribute to the wanted traction effectiveness for powerful and fast forward propulsion of the marine vessels in 3 which the endless rotating chain is suspended. The lateral per-- tions seen in FIG. 3, obviously built above the water retaining chambers 10, are constructed by a lamination method including proper shaping then alternate placing and bonding of layers of high strength metallic and nonmetallic laminations previously formed to make the shapes indicated by the outlines shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, showing the larger propulsion links 1. The lateral portions 8, of these larger propulsion links 1, shown in FlGS. 1, 2, and 3, together with their firmly attached and parallel rod portions 9, made of perforated metallic tubes filled and coated with water resistant plastic having low frictional resistances for sustaining the sweeping pressures against the chains enclosing channel barriers; these lateral portions 8, and 9, add to the prevention of destructive changes possible to impose by lateral swaying of the suspended endless propulsion chain.

In FIG. 1, there are shown the metallic smaller propulsion links 16. These are being shown also in H65. 2, and 5, the front view. The smaller propulsion links 16, in any finished propulsion chain, being equal in plurality to the plurality of the larger propulsion links 1; and individually, at locations distal from their supporting and linking portions 41, and outwardly extended from their relatively large transverse concaved and convexed surfaced structural portions, are structurally included angularly separated transversely extended flanges diverging from one another in an angle of approximately 45. The transversely extended flange diverging from within, the concaved surface being joined by metallic-welded joints with laterally positioned flanges 43 and 43a, shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5. ln FlGS. 1, and 2, smaller propulsion links 16, are shown as being structurally inclusive of curved flat bars 17, at the centers of the convexed surfaces of the transversely extensive structural portionswhere centrally they are being joined by metallic-welded joints with relatively short metallic tubes 18. These become effective under water, in reducing the forcefulness of lateral motions of links 16, when unavoidable forces contribute to lateral swaying of the suspended and rotating endless chain; wherein, the same effectiveness in reducing forcefulness of lateral swaying is produced also by flanges 43 and 43a, of links 16, shown in FIGS. 1,2,and 5. I

Propulsion links 16, laterally, are provided with firmly attached short rodshaped portions 20, made of metallic-perforated tubes filled and coated with plastic having low trictional resistances for sustaining the rotating chain's lateral sweeping pressures against the closely approximated and relatively stationary laterally positioned channel barriers of the marine vessels wherein the rotating endless chain is suspended. The links 16, are provided with firmly attached edge rods 19, shown in FIGS. 2, and 5, and protecting their sites of attachment against frictional effects with swiftly passing water. Links 16, in their parallel supporting and linking portions 41, having a plastic coating, are provided with axle holes made to closely approximate the rotary surfaces of spirally grooved metallic hollow cylindrical axles 15, spirally grooved for retaining solid lubricants and positioned perpendicularly to the linking portions 41 for functional and rotary motions there-against. The parallelsupporting and linking portions 41, are closely approximated by the sides of the bearings 14, having axial support for rotary motions on hollow slip cylinders 47, and hollow cylindrical axles 15. The bearings 14 provide the endless chains principal-bearing surfaces against the contacting surfaces of the quadruple of sprocket wheels on which the propulsion chain is suspended. The hollow slip cylinders 47, together with bearings 14, provide added functional opposition to the effectiveness of possibly occurring marine growths.

The bearings 14, shown in FIGS. 1,2, 11, and 12, are being made by the steps of procedure in proper forming, laminating, jointing. and bonding, methods providing a proper combination of weight, compression strength, and low frictional resistance, for their functional supporting forces and rotary motions on their hollow slip cylinders 47, and axles 15. A proper combination of weight, compression strength, and low frictional resistance to motions in proper functioning is provided by the forming, laminating, and bonding methods of construction needed to produce the bearings 14, indicated in FIGS. 1, 2, 11, and 12, where a proper combination of high strength metallic and nonmetallic materials are bonded and shown in their assembled geometric relationship. These being alternately stacked and jointed metallic and nonmetallic discs with a plurality of lightening holes centered on equidistantly located radii extending beyond the center of the central'hole made for close approximation with the outermost cylindrical surfaces of the hollow slip cylinders 47, closely fitted to the axles 15. FIG. 11, is a side view'ot" one of the bearings metallic laminations 26, taken at BB in FlG. l2, and showing its entire side appearance in the whole form, together with its attached central ring 28, of the'same thickness and made ofmaterial having low frictional resistance. The plurality of the holes 27, and the like, provide wanted .reduction of weight of the-bearings in their completed construction wherein great compression strength is made to exist with minimum weight; in part by, the high strength stiff tubes 44, 45, and 46, perpendicularly positioned through the closely fitting lightening holes of lamination 26, and the like, by the proper choice of material for making lamination 26, and the like, and high strength stiff tubes 44, 45, and 46-, and in part by proper jointing and bonding to the adjacent nonmetallic laminations 30, having low frictional resistances at the axial holes edges shown in FlG. 12. The ou termost surfaces of the bearings 14, are made outwardly inclusive of binding laminations 25. and 29, having low frictional resistances to sliding pressures developed against adjacent structures in motion with rotary motions of the metallic endless propulsion chain; laminations 25, and 29, being properly bonded, completely enclose bearings 14, making them impenetrable by water pressures.

The bearings 14, in their proper function are made not only to support the weight of the relatively heavy suspended endless chain, but also. they are made to rotate in their places of support on hollow slip cylinders 47, closely fitted to the cylindrical surfaces of metallic hollow axles 15, shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 13, 14, and 15; where thin section FF taken from FIG. 13, and revealed in FIG. 14, shows the provision ofa plurality ofrectangular and spiraled grooves 22, which extend longitudinally and are spiraled through a plurality of degrees in planes parallel to the axles longitudinal axes, and extend over approximately the entire distance between the key holding grooves 21, shown in FIGS. 13, and 15. The grooves 22 are filled with solid material having low frictional resistances for rotary motions of the larger propulsion links 1, the smaller propulsion links 16, the hollow slip cylinders 47, and the bearings 14.

The key holding grooves 21, at the ends of axles 15. are closely approximated to and matched in alinement with rectangular key-ways 33, in the perpendicularly oriented joining links 31, then properly'fitted and joined by strong bonding procedures with keys 42; so as to properly lock into place the joining links 31, and the movable links 1, and 16, and the hollow slip cylinders 47, and the bearings 14, in their perpendicularly oriented and functional positions on hollow axles 15, in

the completed assembled endless propulsion chain; where axles 15, are made hollow to add to the traction effectiveness of the rotating propulsion chain.

The high strength joining links 31, shown in FlGS. l, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, are made in steps of procedure necessary for properly forming, jointing, and bonding, metallic laminations 3 7, and 39, with one another in parallel and separated by metallic spacers 40, providing the relative spaces shown by FlGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10,-where the laminations approximations and joints are madeobvious, in that FIG. 10, is taken at BB in FIG. 6',- FlG. 8, is taken at DD in FlG. 7; and FlG. 9, is taken at CC in FIG. 8. The metalliclaminations 37, and 39. are further sustained in their parallel planes through metallic welded joints with the functionally immovable collar bearings 34, nearly encircling the axle apertures 32, and shown in Fl'GS. 6, 7, and 8. The outermost of the three laminations in parallel are provided with lightening holes 38, shown in FlG. 6, which also shows the provision of. the longitudinally and diagonally divided nonmetallic angular inserts 36, placed perpendicularly and fitted to the peripherally and equidistantly notched laminations, and for the purpose of outwardly holding in its structural position metallic-binding strip 35, surrounding and covering the peripheral edges of the laminations 37. and 39,

held in parallel planes. Metallic-welded joints are made between metallic strips 35, and the outermostmetallic laminacoated rigid lightweight refractory material 5, shown in H6.

3; and for the purpose of preventing an accumulation of water larger propulsion links being made with the provision of lateral sweeping portions of low frictional resistance, said larger propulsion links being made by a lamination method properly bonding high strength metallic and nonmetallic through any existing leak when submerged in water. The high strength joining links 31, are coated with water repellent coatings, before they are considered as being ready for proper function in the endless chain in marine utility. This structural procedure in the construction ofjoining links 31, with the exception of making key-ways, is also, being used in the construction of the linking portions of thelarger and smaller propulsion links 1, and 16, respectively, and shown in F168. 1, 2, 3, and 5. Joining links 31, when properly oriented, jointed, and bonded, with the ends of axles l5, rotatably and inseparably hold all the other chains parts in their proper functional positions. r

The metallic keys 42, securing joining links 31, into their proper places on axles 15, as shown in FIG. 2, are held in their closely fitting key-ways 21, and 33, shown in FIGS. 6, 8, 13,

and 15, by properly bonded joints providing structural contiguity with sufficient strength to hold the rotary parts securely in place for proper functioning in rotation of the endless propulsion chain when approximately half submerged in waters of floatation of the marine vessels provided with the endless chain for propulsion or impulsion.

The marine vessels endless propulsion chains are being constructed with a combination of high strength metallic and nonmetallic materials by the method of construction described and revealed above and made obvious by the ae-v companying figures of drawings, and requires the indicated necessary steps of procedure in forming, laminating,jointing, bonding, and coating; to produce the marine vessels endless propulsion chains having sufficient functional strengths for great durabilities with minimum weights, in their finished forms; for proper functionality in propulsion, or impulsion.

l, the inventor, Frederick B. Romero, believe that the herewith and above description of, and indication of, a method of construction ofmarine vessels high strength metallic endless propulsion chains inclusive of a proper ratio of strength to weight, sets forth an improvement amounting to invention, fulfilling the requirements of patentability according to Rules 101, 102, and 103, of USC Title 35, and therefore;

lclaim:

1. A marine vessels endless propulsion chain, said endless propulsion chain including a plurality of high strength metallic and nonmetallic materials, properly formed, laminated, jointed, bonded and coated, to make larger propulsion links with an equal plurality of smaller propulsion links in the finished propulsion chain, fitted for rotary motions on a plurality of metallic hollow cylindrical axles structurally held equidistantly from one another by an equal plurality of metallic joining links made structurally contiguous with said hollow axles by metallic keys in closely fitting key-ways where structural contiguity is established by properly bonded joints said axles being provided with an equal plurality of hollow slip cylinders and metallic bearings, said larger propulsion links, said joining links, said smaller links, said hollow slip cylinders, and said bearings; being made with properly formed, jointed, and bonded, high strength metallic and nonmetallic lamina tions, providing the wanted ratio of strength to weight in said endless chain with combined great durability and minimum weight.

2. A marine vessel's metallic endless propulsion chain, said endless propulsion chain including a plurality oflarger propulsion links, an equal plurality of smaller propulsion links, said larger and smaller propulsion links being made inclusive of relatively extensive transverse concaved and convexed surfaced structural areas for greater contact with, and within short time periods the movement of relatively large weights of water, said larger propulsion links being inclusive of waterretaining chambers provided with water releasing holes, said materials, said largerand srrialler propulsion links'being made inclusive of two pairs of parallel linking portions for propulsion and rotary motions on hollow cylindrical axles made hollow to provide added traction effects. with rotation of the endless propulsion chain. Y

3. A marine vessel's endless propulsion chain, the endless propulsion chain, including a plurality of larger propulsion links, and an equal plurality of smaller propulsion links being suspended for rotary motions on a plurality of cylindrical metallic hollow axles, said axles outwardly being inclusive of a plurality of spiraled and longitudinally extended rectangular grooves for the retention of solid low friction material, said larger propulsion links being made in the steps of procedure needed in a lamination method wherein boot shaped thin high strength metallic ribbing portions space-ti by a plurality of relatively short high strength hollow cylinders of uniform lengths and various diameters are made structurally contiguous with said thin metallic ribbing portions by metallic-welded and adhesive-cemented joints holding said short cylinders perpendicularly to said ribbing portions, leaving interspaces which are filled with cement-coated rigid light weight refractory material made adherent to, and outwardly overlaid, by thin moldable refractory material outwardly covered with thin sheet metal welded to the outermost projecting edges of said thin high strength metallic-ribbing portions.

4. A marine vessels endless propulsion chain, said endless propulsion chain including a plurality of metallic larger propulsion links, and an equal plurality of smaller propulsion links suspended on metallic hollow cylindrical axles provided with metallic bearings, said bearings being made by a stacked lamination method inclusive of nonmetallic low friction material made adherentbetwecn thin high strength metallic laminae, providing bearings with great compression strength with the least weight, and minimum frictional resistance for rotary motions, said metallic and nonmetallic laminae being made with a plurality of lightening holes centered on equidistantly located radii of thin metallic and nonmetallic disc shaped laminae of said bearings; said laminae being properly stacked and bonded onto a plurality of perpendicularly positioned high strength stiff tubes extended through the closely fitting lightening holes in said laminae, and then being peripherally bonded to and enclosed within outwardly binding laminae making said bearings impenetrable by water pressures.

5. A marine vessels metallic endless propulsion chain, said endless propulsion chain including a plurality of high strength metallic joining links immovably attached to a plurality of perpendicularly positioned metallic hollow cylindrical axles by use of closely fitting metallic keys secured in their places by properly bonded joints, said hollow axles holding in rotatable suspension for rotation, hollow slip cylinders, metallic bearings'metallic larger propulsion links with an equal plurali ty of smaller propulsion links; said high strength joining links being made in steps of procedure wherein thin laminae of properly shaped metal are joined by properly bonded joints; said thin laminae of properly shaped :metal being made adherent to similarly shaped and cement-coated rigid lightweight refractory material separating said thin metallic laminae properly jointed to make said high strength joining links comprising three properly shaped thin metallic laminae equidistantly separated by equally sized semicircular shaped metal spacers and metal axle collars, the outermost metallic laminae being provided with lightening holes, said laminae having their peripheral edges equidistantly notched and joined by metallic binding strips held in their proper places by nonmetallic diagonally divided angular inserts, inserted into fitting notches equidistantly spaced along the peripheral edges of said three paralleled and uniformly spaced laminae, and outwardly from said binding strip, further secured by welded joints, providing great strength with minimum weight in said high strength joining links.

6. An endless propulsion chain, said endless metallic propulsion chain including a plurality of larger propulsion links properly joined rotatably with an equal plurality of metallic smaller propulsion links of distinctly different struc tural type; suspended on a plurality of closely fitted cylindrical hollow and spirally grooved metallic axles, provided with an equal plurality of closely fitted hollow slip cylinders closely fitted with metallic laminated bearings; said largerpropulsion links and smaller propulsion links having their linking portions made in steps of procedure in a lamination method providing 

